differential diagnosis

Last reviewed 01/2018

The diagnosis of angina usually assumes that the cause is atherosclerosis. Other causes of cardiogenic chest pain include:

  • aortic stenosis
  • hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
  • mitral valves prolapse (Barlow's syndrome)
  • aortic dissection
  • pulmonary embolism
  • coronary artery spasm

Pain similar to angina may be caused by:

  • gastrointestinal disease:
    • gastro-oesophageal acid reflux
    • oesophagitis
    • biliary colic
    • gastritis
    • pancreatitis
  • musculoskeletal pain:
    • Bornholm's syndrome
    • Tietze's syndrome
  • psychiatric
    • anxiety disorders - hyperventilation, panic disorder o affective disorder - depression (1)

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